By 2020, at least a third of all data will pass through the cloud (a network of servers connected over the Internet).

Distributed computing (performing computing tasks using a network of computers in the cloud) is very real. Google uses it every day to involve about 1,000 computers in answering a single search query, which takes no more that 0.2 seconds to complete.

And one of my favourite facts: At the moment less than 0.5% of all data is ever analysed and used, just imagine the potential here.

My prediction? At the rate at which data and our ability to anlayze it are growing, businesses of all sizes — large and small — will be using some form of data analytics to impact their business in the next five years.

The question isn’t whether or not big data is here to stay; the question is are you ready.

This article was written by Bernard Marr from Forbes and was legally licensed through the NewsCred publisher network.